Biden also changed White House press pool, cutting off more than 440 credentials
The White House has made a significant change in how news outlets will be selected to be part of the White House press pool. Previously, the White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) had the authority to determine which news outlets would have access to the president in restricted areas. However, the Trump administration has decided to shift this responsibility to the White House itself.
During a briefing on Tuesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt assured reporters that while longstanding legacy outlets would still be included in the press pool, new and deserving outlets would also be given the opportunity to participate. This move is aimed at diversifying the voices and perspectives present in the White House press pool.
This decision comes in the wake of controversial changes made by the Biden administration regarding press access. In 2023, over 440 reporters lost their press credentials after the Biden White House implemented new rules for eligibility for permanent passes. The number of credentialed White House press members dropped significantly, sparking criticism and debate over media access to the White House.
The Biden administration defended its decision by stating that many of the journalists whose passes were revoked had not accessed the White House in the previous three months. This move was seen as an effort to streamline access and ensure that reporters actively covering the White House were prioritized.
In response to the White House’s decision to oversee the press pool selection process, WHCA President Eugene Daniels expressed concern about the implications for press freedom. He stated that allowing the government to choose which journalists cover the president undermines the independence of a free press.
Despite the controversy surrounding these changes, the White House remains committed to ensuring that a diverse range of voices are represented in the press pool. By offering opportunities to new outlets and restoring press passes to revoked journalists, the White House aims to uphold the principles of a free and inclusive press corps.
In conclusion, these recent developments highlight the ongoing debate over media access and press freedom in the White House. The shift in responsibility for selecting press pool members reflects a broader effort to promote diversity and inclusivity in media coverage of the presidency.
